Baby with limited vision in one eye

A friend has vision in only one eye. I know only because he told me, there’s no obvious effect on his every day life. He is a keen birder, and regularly takes long trips into wild areas of S America, SE Asia etc.

I was under Moorfields from maybe 3/4, primarily because I had a squint, but vision in both eyes has always needed glasses.

One eye didn’t form as it should have, which can never be corrected, and although I can see out of that eye, when both eyes are open, it’s like one side of my vision field is in a lesser light. It’s hard to explain, but it hasn’t stopped me doing anything, except maybe having laser surgery on my stronger eye, as I don’t want to risk that eye at all.

Your child will be receiving the best care possible, I hope you can have confidence that he’ll live a good life. The brain is an amazing thing, and we adapt to what we’re dealt.

I have only 10% vision in my bad eye and full vision in my good eye. When both eyes are open, My vision is entirely dominated by my good eye. I am now 50. I drive and have lead an entirely normal life. I played netball for the county as a child and rowed for Cambridge University. I need to take slightly more care of my good eye and would not advise daily use of a contact lense, if vision needs correction. I do wear one for occasional use and look after my general eye health. I have never seen the world any diffently to how I see it so am never really aware of any disadvantage. Take the medical advice you are given and bring your child up as you intended. This is not something that needs to change their life experience.

I am blind in one eye. Most things I can do as normal. My aim is very bad and sometimes I struggle to see where things are so have to feel but this would be things like threading a needle. I can drive, I just need to be more aware of my blind spot. I'm not confident cycling in the road though as bike mirrors aren't great. I can't use a binocular microscope which i kept having to remind teachers and lecturers about. I couldn't be in the armed forces but I never wanted to anyway. So for the most part I can carry on as normal.

Yes, my son has very poor vision in one eye. The other eye is fine and so he can see normally. The only thing we were advised to avoid was rugby, in case of accident to the good eye. Accidents cannot be fully avoided though! He actually competes in a motor sport now and plays football. Life is normal for him.

Have you contacted any charities for your son's condition? I'm sure they can advise you.

I was a bit older (think it was around 5 months) when my parents discovered that I had problems with my eyes.

Sorry to hear this, op. I don’t have any direct experience, but can fully understand how devastating any news like this is going to be for you, especially at first. I’m sure as your baby develops and starts to do more, this will become less of an issue. Isn’t it the case that if one eye is weaker than the other, then the ‘good’ eye compensates? The DVLA states that you can drive with monocular vision, as long as the good eye meets the required standard.

You’ve said that you’ve been left with the impression that ‘it is what it is’ and there isn’t anything that can be done to improve the sight, but some specialists may have different approaches and suggestions. I never think it hurts to get a 2nd opinion, even from Moorfields. Maybe google official websites for the condition, as I have found sometimes the US approach is more informative and ‘hopeful’ for want of a better word, than the NHS. Also research any organisations which can give advice about babies and children with your ds’s condition, or sight impairment in general. I would have though things like high contrast black and white baby books would be a good start to encourage focussing, with both the weaker and stronger eye. I hope you get some reassurance and that things work out well for you and your ds.